Planning Commission Meeting Update

January 25, 2006                        Wednesday                                7:00 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

ROLL CALL:      Commissioners Carlyn Christianson, Alice Loh, Andrea Miller, Andrew Carter, Jason McCoy, Chairperson Orval Osborne, and one vacancy 

ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:  

Due to the resignation of Chairperson Boswell at the previous meeting (with vice-chair Osborne taking the seat of chairperson), selection of an acting vice-chairperson for this meeting took place.  Commr. Miller was selected for the seat. 

MINUTES:  Minutes of January 11, 2006.   

The minutes of January 11, 2006 were approved as amended. 

PUBLIC COMMENT:   

Tom Cantrell, commented on the issue of public growth, noting that increasing the community population could cause negative impacts to downtown traffic, traffic congestion, and preservation of open space. 

PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

1.  392 Prado Road.  TR and ER 63-05;  Consideration of a vesting tentative tract map to subdivide a 15-acre (approx.) site into 67 lots with 41 residential lots, 10 business park/office lots, 15 mixed use  (residential and office)  lots, and 1 open space lot; and environmental review;   R-1-SP, O-SP, R-2-SP, & C/OS-SP zones; Craig Cowan, applicant.  (Pam Ricci and Mary Beatie) 

2.  3000 Calle Malva. TR and ER 65-05;  Consideration of a vesting tentative tract map to subdivide a 99-acre (approx.) site into 148 lots with 141 single-family residential lots, 1 lot for an affordable housing project, and 6 open space lots; and environmental review; R-1-SP, R-2-SP, C/OS-SP zones; John King, applicant.  (Pam Ricci and Mary Beatie) 

3.  408 Prado Road.  TR and ER 66-05;  Consideration of a vesting tentative tract map to subdivide a 30-acre (approx.) site into 133 lots, with 109 residential lots, 1 lot for an affordable housing project, 12 mixed use (residential and office) lots, 6 business park/office lots, and 5 open space lots; and environmental review;  R-1-SP, R-2-SP, R-3-SP, O-SP and C/OS-SP zones; Richard DeBlauw, applicant.  (Pam Ricci and Mary Beatie) 

Vice-Chair Osborne announced that he would refrain from participating in the discussion of the public hearing items due to a potential conflict of interest because he owns property near the project sites. 

Because the three tract maps involve adjacent properties with interconnecting streets, development of a sub-regional drainage facility and a coordinated affordable housing plan. The three maps were evaluated in a master report that discussed common characteristics and issues.  Specialized features of the three developments were then covered in individual reports with independent initial environmental studies and resolutions outlining findings, conditions, code requirements, and mitigation measures attached.  The staff presentation followed this model with a single presentation that covered the project as a whole.  A single public hearing was held which allowed for speakers to discuss either the total project or any of its specific components. 

Public testimony included endorsement for the project by Patricia Wilmore of the Chamber of Commerce and David Booker of First Bank.  Neighbors of the project at Chumash Village brought up a variety of concerns including the scale of adjacent development, open space access, pest control, construction impacts, and traffic problems.  Representative of Midland Pacific that are under contract with King Enterprises to build out parts of the project were concerned with the modified version of the map presented at the meeting. 

On a 5-0 vote on each of the above items, the Commission recommended approval of the vesting tentative maps and mitigated negative declarations, based on findings, and subject to mitigation measures, conditions, and code requirements.  The Commission expressed their support for the modified version of the King map (TR/ER 65-05; County Tract Map No. 2428), which might accommodate additional density.  Staff noted that a new vesting tentative map would need to be submitted in the future to show a revised lot layout for the remainder parcels shown on the modified tentative map. 

COMMENT AND DISCUSSION: 

4.   Staff 

A. Agenda Forecast – Ron Whisenand provided a forecast for upcoming meetings 

The meeting adjourned around 11:30 p.m. to the regular meeting of the Planning Commission scheduled for Wednesday, February 8, 2006, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber of City Hall, 990 Palm Street.